Match-box



(No Model.)

H. GASS.

MATCH BOX.

No. 388,354. Patented Aug. 21, 1888.

HENRY GASS, OF MOBILE, ALABAMA.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIPCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,354l dated August 21, 1888. Application filed December 3, 1887. Serial No. 256,900. (No model.)

.T0 @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Beit known that I, HENRY Gl\ss,of Mobile, in the county of Mobile and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxesof which the following is so full, clear, and exacta specification as will enable others skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof'.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in match-boxes; and it consists of the novel arrangement and combination of parts, more particularly hereinafter described in the specification and set forth 1n the claim.

One object of my invention is to provide a match-box which can be opened and closed withouttheintervention of aspring,and which will yet while closed always maintain itself in that position.

As heretofore constructed pocket matchv boxes have been clumsy, and have therefore taken up too much room in the pocket, owing particularly to their thickness, and when the coat-for instance, of a person who carries the ordinary match-box in his vest-poeket-was bnttoned the impression of the box would show through and prevent the nice fitting of the garment that agentleman would wish. My invention is designed to overcome this difficulty.

Still another object of my invention is to construct a match or other boxinsuch a manner that it will be both simple and durable and the cost of manufacture of which will be reduced to a minimum.

I refer to the appended drawings, forming a part of this specification, and on which similar letters of reference indicate the same or corresponding features, and in which- Figure l is a side elevation of my box when it is opened, a portion of the cover being broken away to more clearly show the construction of the box. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the body of the box with the cover removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the box as it ap pears when it is closed. Fig. 4 is a detail inverted plan view showing a corrugated surface upon which to light the matches on the end of the box. Fig. 5 is a modified form of construction, and Fig. 6 is a still further modification.

The letter A designates the cover of a box formed of one piece, bent in the middle, so as to conform to the shape of an inverted U, the free ends of which converge toward each other, so that they will act as a springelamp upon the body B, on which it is pivotally mounted at the point C, a short distance above the bottom or end of the body. The reason of this is to allow the person having the box to catch hold ofthe cover with one hand and thelower portion of the body with the other, so that he can readily and easily open the box.

The body B consists of a single piece made either of metal or paper, or some other suitable material, the greater portion thereof bcing stamped or cnt out in the shape of the letter U, the opposite arms of which are united by metallic or other bands, E, or wire, as seen in the drawings, the purpose of which is to both give strength to the arms and prevent them from spreading apart, and at the same time to hold the matches in a proper position and prevent them from either falling out as the box is being opened or from catching against the sides of the cover in closing the cover.

As seen in one of the modifications, unite the two arms with a rubber or cloth band, as designated by the letter F, and in the other by wires, as designated by the letter G.

As shown in Fig. 3, the cover of the box on one side (or it may be on both sides) is corrugated, so as to present a ronghened surface on which to scratch the matches. This corrugated surface, however, may be made asshown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the constant Scratching of the matches would leave a certain amount of deposit upon the sides of the box, so that a person drawing the same from his pocket would be liable to soil his fingers, whereas when constructed as shown in Fig. 4 this objection is entirely obviated. It will be observed that my improved box may notonly be used for a pocket match box or safe, but it may also be used for various other purposessuch as a ease forvisiting-cards,Ste-without departing from the spirit of my invention.

TOO

Having thus fully described my invention, envelop the body, and pivotally connected at what I claim as new, and desire to secure by its ends to the bottom piece, substantially as Letters Patent, isshown and described.

As a new article of manufacture, a match In testimony whereof I affix my signaturein 5 bOX 0r receptacle consisting of the following the presence 0f two witnesses.

essential elements: the body composed of a rigid bottom piece and rigidly upwardly eX- HENRY GASS' tending arms, strengthening bead or beads ex- Witnesses: tending transversely from arm to arm, and a JOHN F. POWERS,

1c lid or cover bent in U shape to fit over and EMIL VERBEK. 

